<\/p>\n
For the Dove Creek Bulldogs, a volleyball season defined by the elation of victory ended with an agonizing defeat at the Denver Coliseum.<\/p>\n
TOUGH LOSS<\/p>\n
TO FLEMING<\/p>\n
Playing against the Fleming Wildcats in the semi-finals of the Colorado 1A State Volleyball Tournament on Nov. 9, the Bulldogs dropped a competitive three-set match, 25-18, 26-24, 25-17.<\/p>\n
Looking somewhat flat to begin their biggest match of the year, the Bulldogs had difficulty matching Fleming\u2019s intensity early on, dropping the first set 25-18.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight off the bat, Shelbie (Knuckles) came down on a Fleming players\u2019 foot and sprained her ankle,\u201d said Bulldogs\u2019 head coach Scott Knuckles. \u201cWe still got some hitting from some of the other girls, but they had a good middle that we couldn\u2019t figure out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beginning the second set with renewed focus, the Bulldogs pulled ahead 9-8 after a block by Corissa Guynes, only to see their slim lead dissipate after several blocks by Fleming players.<\/p>\n
After multiple back-and-forth points that featured solid hitting by both teams, the Bulldogs pulled ahead 24-23 on a kill by Corissa Guynes, but were unable to close out the set, eventually falling 26-24.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a few calls that didn\u2019t go our way,\u201d said Scott Knuckles. \u201cNot to take anything away from (Fleming) though, we should have finished it ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Playing with their backs against the wall in the third set, the Bulldogs hung tough, pulling to within a point at 15-16 after a block by Fury.<\/p>\n
At that point, Fleming would lock down however, sending multiple hard spikes into the Bulldogs\u2019 court to secure a 25-17 third set victory.<\/p>\n
Clearly shaken by their first defeat of the season, Bulldogs\u2019 players congregated near their locker room, hugged and shed tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really proud of my team,\u201d said Young. \u201cI\u2019ll always remember playing with all of my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a really close team,\u201d added Bulldogs\u2019 senior Shelbie Knuckles. \u201cEven though we lost, we\u2019re not mad at each other, and we know that we gave it everything that we had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following their victory over the Bulldogs, Fleming advanced to the state finals where they defeated Caliche 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21 to win the 1A State Championship.<\/p>\n
VICTORIOUS<\/p>\n
IN POOL PLAY<\/p>\n
Prior to their defeat to Fleming, the Bulldogs played like the top 1A team in Colorado, cruising through pool play with little difficulty.<\/p>\n
Opening against Kit Carson on Nov. 8, the Bulldogs dominated from start to finish, jumping ahead early in route to a 25-14, 25-18, 25-18 straight set win.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs then returned to action on Nov. 9 and played some of their best volleyball of the season, spiking their way to a 25-4, 25-11, 25-13 victory over eighth seeded Vail Christian.<\/p>\n
Opening the first set with a bang, the Bulldogs jumped ahead 7-0 following several Vail Christian hitting errors. Later in the set, the Bulldogs moved ahead 15-3 on an ace by senior Shelbie Knuckles, before closing things out 25-4.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came out strong and played with a lot of intensity,\u201d said Bulldogs\u2019 head coach Scott Knuckles of his team\u2019s play in the first set. \u201cVail Christian got a set off us at Districts so it was nice to close things out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Continuing their stellar play in the second set, the Bulldogs jumped out to an 8-1 lead much to the chagrin of their shell shocked opponents.<\/p>\n
Although Vail Christian would make a brief run to cut the score to 13-9, the Bulldogs pulled away, wrapping up the first set 25-11 on an ace by Corissa Guynes.<\/p>\n
Intent on closing things out in the third set, the Bulldogs pulled ahead 12-2 on a kill by Shelbie Knuckles before closing out the set 25-13 with a perfectly placed spike that dropped in the back left corner of the court.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of confidence going into the next match,\u201d said Scott Knuckles. \u201cHopefully that will help us a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
A STELLAR SEASON<\/p>\n
Although the Bulldogs fell just short of winning a state championship, the team\u2019s season was nothing short of spectacular.<\/p>\n
In addition to their 26-1 season record, the Bulldogs were crowned District Champions, Regional Champions and received the top overall seed in the state tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom preseason rankings when we weren\u2019t even on the list to the top four, I think that the girls did a great job,\u201d said Scott Knuckles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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